November 28th, 2000

Presentation to the CRTC hearings in Burnaby, British Columbia
by Chief Stewart Phillip, Union of BC Indian Chiefs

9051 MS VOGEL: Our next intervenor is the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs. Chief Stewart Phillip, would you come forward, please.

INTERVENTION / INTERVENTION

9052 MR. PHILLIP: Madam Chair, Commissioners, CRTC staff and members of the public, before proceeding with my brief remarks I will take a moment to recognize the Cosalish people upon whose traditional territory I am speaking here today.

9053 Secondly, I would like to give you some background on the organization that I represent.

9054 The Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs is the oldest native political organization in the province of B.C. We represent approximately 40 to 45 per cent of the native communities within the province.

9055 I am the President of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs. As well, I am the Chief of the Penticton Indian Band, which is a member of the Okanogan Nation, and I have some 26 years of experience in native politics. I am entering my third term as Chief of the Penticton Band and have served on the Band Council for some 16 years. I have quite a depth of knowledge of native issues and what has taken place in Indian country, so to speak, in the last number of decades.

9056 I am pleased to be here today to speak to you about the radio licence applications you are considering for Vancouver. Our letter of support fully endorsed an application for a native radio station in Vancouver. But I also signed a Petition of Support which, as you know, clearly stated endorsement of both the Aboriginal Voices Radio, AVR, licence application and the application of the their corporate partner Newcap Broadcasting.

9057 The historic significance of such a unique aboriginal and non-aboriginal arrangement was quite obvious to us. We understood its significance and that it is the first proposal of its kind for the Canadian broadcasting system and provides a creative business-oriented way for an aboriginal radio network to receive a solid healthy launch.

9058 I am here on behalf of aboriginal people who are frustrated. There is no relevant radio. Generally, our experience, as aboriginal people, with commercial broadcasters is unpleasant at best. The frequent stereotypes of native life and culture continue to fill the Vancouver airwaves. Our issues and interests are seldom recognized let alone portrayed from our perspective. There are daily judgments of us by mainstream media.

9059 It is such an exceptional circumstance that provides me with the opportunity to appear before you today. On behalf of the UBCIC, I enthusiastically support the proposal of Newcap Broadcasting to work closely with Aboriginal Voices Radio in the transfer of management expertise and both financial and professional support as they work together as industry associates. This follows the advice of the Conference Board of Canada that encourages Canadian businesses to tap into the energy, enthusiasm and imagination of aboriginal people.

9060 It is interesting that it is a small company from Newfoundland that is reaching out to our aboriginal people. We welcome their efforts and encourage their steps towards building bridges between the aboriginal world and the mainstream Canadian broadcast business.

9061 In assessing our support for this corporation's bold proposal, we have learned that it is a very community-spirited broadcaster in places it has radio stations in other parts of Canada. Its hiring practices meet the federal regulations regarding employment equity and they promise to do even better than that: to hire people so their radio staff will reflect the reality of the local Vancouver and area population. That suggests to me employment opportunities for our aboriginal youth. That is in addition to the jobs it will help create by its support for the Aboriginal Voices Radio Network.

9062 It seems to me there is a great opportunity here for you to do the right thing and help us to break through the wall of resistance that exists in the local Vancouver media.

9063 It is local programming that either ignores us or is strongly offensive to our people, some of it deliberate. This is symptomatic of smug and complacent broadcasters. There is an obvious resistance to change here. It is illustrated in the resistance to accept the new immigrants even though there are many third-generation Asian peoples living here.

9064 Of course there is a resistance to respect the aboriginal peoples and their diverse cultures in their own homelands. If it delivers on its promises, then I believe Newcap Broadcasting is offering more than money, more than the $4.2 million to Aboriginal Voices Radio. It would provide us all with an opportunity to create meaningful change in the lives of people in Vancouver by beginning to reflect the real Vancouver.

9065 Now the lopsided reporting on aboriginal rights issues is disruptive, destructive and reflects the downright racist radio. It is obvious to me that radio here needs to be shaken up. Perhaps if Newcap brings its philosophy of new voices and new perspectives, along with its bold new venture with Aboriginal Voices Radio, then others will get the message. The message is: we cannot accept the status quo any longer.

9066 I am hopeful that you, the people who are able to make a difference, will no longer allow it to continue. These new voices that would come from Newcap's radio station provide promise and hope to me that we would have an opportunity for balanced news coverage in a city where most media leans so far to the right that at times you might think we were right back at the turn of a different century: the 1900s.

9067 The applications you are considering make a lot of sense to me: aboriginal and private broadcasters working together, proposing an initiative to help the aboriginal community fast track the creation of better communications here and nationally. I think it makes sense because it helps you to fulfil your mandate, it helps you to demonstrate how the Government of Canada is walking the talk of its own legislation and policies.

9068 As you search for guidance in your deliberations may you be reminded that despite their treatment, despite being last to share in this country's wealth, aboriginal people hold a special place in Canada.

9069 What is the right decision? There can be no doubt, as the Petition of Support stated clearly, the Broadcast Act says so, the Canadian broadcasting system should, through its programming and the employment opportunities arising out of its operation, serve the needs and interests and reflect the circumstances and aspirations and the special place of our aboriginal peoples. The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, RCAP, says it; "Canada is gathering strength", the policy responding to RCAP says it; today, on behalf of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, I am saying it:

9070 Aboriginal people are anxious to move forward in our efforts for cultural renewal and restoration. To do it we have special needs and circumstances. We need effective communications and the sooner the better.

9071 We also have unique rights that have been recognized in the constitution and in law. Surely, it is very clear that our needs and our rights should be given special and appropriate consideration by the CRTC. Surely, it is very clear that this is the time.

9072 Thank you for your time and consideration.

9073 THE CHAIRPERSON: Thank you very much, Chief Phillip. We are very grateful that you have taken the time to come before us today and to help inform our decision in this proceeding.

9074 I just have a couple of questions. Your position is very clear, so I don't have clarifications on where you stand.

9075 Are you aware of the opposition, opposing intervention, that has been filed by Northern Native Broadcasting Corporation to AVR? They have opposed AVR, given that they are Northern Native, saying they are a British Columbia based radio broadcaster with an intention to serve this market.

9076 We are interested in hearing from B.C. native organizations like yourself, if you have any comment on that intervention.

9077 MR. PHILLIP: I suppose the comment that I have is that I think there is a very obvious need for a stronger aboriginal voice in this area, in the province and nationally, generally. I think aboriginal people in this country confront some very difficult issues and those issues aren't properly represented in mainstream media.

9078 Here in British Columbia we are in a very difficult position with unresolved land claims issues. The only media attention we get is when there is a crisis. I think that there needs to be greater public commentary on the issues so there is a greater appreciation and understanding of the issues. In that regard, I think that there has to be room made in the marketplace for not just a single broadcasting entity. This one here that we are supporting is one that is targeting the Vancouver areas and hoping for growth nationally.

9079 Northern Native Broadcasting is Northern Native Broadcasting. I had worked with Northern Native Broadcasting in terms of being interviewed by them on a regular basis, but in my own community in Penticton we are not able to receive their broadcasts and whatnot, so we need expansion.

9080 THE CHAIRPERSON: One other question. In particular, I think, we are interested in hearing from, again, the local native organizations with respect to this application. There is a very small commitment on the part of AVR to local programming for the local market. When I say that I don't -- I mean it is possible they may expand it, certainly that is in their plans, but in terms of our licensing procedures the requirement would be very modest.

9081 I want to ensure that you are aware of that going forward and knowledgeable that there won't be obligations put on them by us with respect to any programming, either local, directed to the local audience, or even obligating them to broadcast Vancouver-originated programming. I wonder if you could give me any comments on that.

9082 MR. PHILLIP: Again, I believe that silence on the issues is very detrimental to our people and to our communities. We don't have the luxury of sitting here saying that we want an additional licence in this area. Anything is an improvement. The status quo is not acceptable. We are in dire need of a greater voice and, you know, would be very grateful for that opportunity.

9083 THE CHAIRPERSON: Thank you very much. Again, I very much appreciate, all of us do, that you have taken the time to come and appear before us and inform our decision. Thank you.

9084 MR. PHILLIP: Thank you very much.